Chapter 104 - Begin the Sabotage

So, I found myself participating in a sabotage operation against those Niosebuk bastards. The reward was tempting, but even without it, those pests are a blight that can’t be left alone.

"Might is Right." I can’t just stand by while people under that delusion invade other countries and shatter the modest lives of innocent people. What if my loved ones were targeted? Even if they aren't, it’s a certainty that someone’s loved ones will be. That’s why these vermin need to be exterminated proactively. In my own special way.

To start, I sat down for a briefing with the female knight, Romphaia, who brought the Queen’s secret orders.

"Now, Sir Sao, what do you think is the first thing we should do to weaken the Kingdom of Niosebuk?" 

"Kill them all." 

"Too direct. Doing that manually would be an exhausting amount of work. That’s why we use schemes to weaken the enemy indirectly."

Right. Efficiency is key. They were the ones who started this by seducing our heirs and fanning class warfare, after all. It’s only fair to pay them back in kind—twice over. An eye for an eye, an overlord for an overlord.

"We intend to pour our efforts into subversion," Romphaia continued. "Tactics like this are even more effective when the enemy's internal affairs are a mess. So, Sir Sao, what kind of subversion do you think would be best?" 

"Wait, why are you asking me?" I asked. This was starting to feel like a classroom lecture.

Okay, let’s see. The King of Niosebuk died suddenly, and they’re in the middle of a succession war. Most of the princes and princesses have been bumped off, leaving only a few candidates. The heavy favorite is the Third Prince, while the runner-ups—the Fourth Princess and Sixth Prince—have teamed up to form a resistance. Civil wars drain a country more the longer they drag on.

"So we should try to make the civil war last as long as possible, right? To do that, we support the side that’s losing?"

In this case, that would be the alliance between the Fourth Princess and the Sixth Prince.

"Correct. According to detailed intel from our spies, their outlook isn't good. They call themselves a 'resistance,' but the reality is they’re simply the only ones left standing against the Third Prince." 

"What’s the power gap?" 

"If the Third Prince gets serious, he’ll likely end the war within two months."

That’s no good. We have to do something about that.

"Even if the Third Prince eventually wins, we want him to endure two or three years of a soul-crushing quagmire. By the time the war ends, the country should be a scorched wasteland. If we invade immediately after, they’ll fall like a house of cards."

The goal was to close the power gap between the two factions as much as possible. And instead of a stalemate, we needed to make them actually fight and bleed each other dry.

"Right now, they aren't clashing enough. The Third Prince would win too quickly and have too much strength left over. We need the losers to work harder—they need to bite off the future King's arm or leg before they die."

To do that, we either had to buff the Princess's side or find a way to shave down the Prince's military might. Since they're all enemies anyway, weakening everyone was the preferred route.

"Her Majesty has given me a specific plan for adjusting the military balance in the Niosebuk civil war," Romphaia said. 

"And that is...?" 

"We are to win over the Selengren Merchant Coalition."

The Selengren Merchant Coalition?

"Wait, explain." 

"The Coalition is a global network of merchants. If you have the coin, they’ll sell anything but slaves—and they’ll buy anything but slaves to turn it into coin. It’s no exaggeration to say they control the world’s logistics. Naturally, they thrive during wartime. War is expensive; it requires weapons, food, and endless supplies, all of which the Coalition provides. The Kingdom of Niosebuk is one of their biggest clients."

Of course they are, I thought. A beast-nation that’s always at war is a gold mine for merchants.

If we could drive a wedge between the Coalition and Niosebuk, it would be a devastating blow. Even better, if we could convince the Coalition to back the losing Princess while snubbing the Prince, we’d get the exact quagmire we wanted.

"So, Sir Sao, your mission is to persuade the Selengren Merchant Coalition to cooperate with us." 

"I'm the one doing the persuading?!" 

"It’s a testament to how much you are trusted. You have met every expectation the Queen has ever had for you; she expects you to make the impossible possible once again."

I had a feeling this was coming, but... well, for the sake of the reward and world peace, I guess I'll do it. My next move was decided: I was heading to the Merchant Coalition to put the squeeze on Niosebuk.

◆

First, I decided to send my "Harem Circle" back to the capital. Every one of them, including Big Sis Calibur and Lady Staff.

"Whaaat? Why?" 

"Because I want you to take care of the babies. You're fine now, but soon your bellies will be big, and I don't want to risk anything. I want you to wait for the birth in a safe, comfortable place."

Besides, you can’t exactly "negotiate" while rolling up with a massive entourage. It’s smarter and stealthier if I move alone.

"I’m going to protect the peace and earn money for all of you. So please, put the babies first." 

"If you say so, Sao... I suppose we have no choice," Lady Staff sighed. She grabbed Big Sis’s shoulder to keep her from arguing. 

"We aren't just looking after ourselves anymore. It's time we started acting like mothers. Sao will support us, so there’s no need to worry... right, Papa?"

"Whu—?!"

That "Papa" caught me completely off guard. It hit me right in the solar plexus.

"Fine," Big Sis pouted. 

"But Sao, you better be back before the birth, okay?" 

"Of course."

Aside from being there for the birth, there was something else I wanted to try. Pregnant Belly Paizuri. Rubbing my cock against a huge, full-term belly. And since I had multiple pregnant partners, I could even have them sandwich me between two bellies like a massive, soft vice. The thought of this ultra-rare play—only possible with two or more partners you've bonded with heart and soul—was enough to keep me motivated for the mission.

To enjoy the ultimate reward, I first had to fulfill my duty. I set off on my errand for the Queen.

◆

"...So, where do we go first?" 

"The Selengren Merchant Coalition. Our 'negotiation target' is nearby."

"Negotiation target?" That was a weird way to put it.

"The Coalition's main headquarters is far from here. However, to maintain their logistics network, they have medium-sized sub-hubs everywhere. There’s a trade hub used for business with Niosebuk nearby; we should speak with their representative."

"I see."

So, we were heading to this trade hub. But...

"Wait, why are you still here?" 

"Excuse me?"

The helpful person who had been answering all my questions was none other than Romphaia.

"I'm coming with you, obviously." 

"Why?" 

"I’m more confused that you're confused. You’re technically still just a student. Do you really think they’d take you seriously if you just barged in? As a member of the Fourth Knight Order, I need to at least make the introductions, or we won't even get through the door."

If that’s the case, don't give a 'student' a top-secret mission in the first place, I thought. I really don't get the Kingdom's logic. Or maybe it's just the Queen? Does she see me as some kind of magical Doraemon who just solves things if she throws them at me?

"Anyway, I’m just there for the introduction. After that, I look forward to seeing the skills of the man the Queen trusts so implicitly."

She says that, but I just went through the pain of sending my harem home. If I travel with a beautiful female knight, I might get "distracted" and end up adding another pregnant woman to the list.

"If you're having lewd thoughts, I'm sorry to disappoint you," Romphaia said flatly. "I am not a loose woman who engages in shameful acts with men I just met. Any 'vulgar' expectations are a waste of time."

"Hey, don't make it sound like my harem is 'shameful'!"

"Consider our relationship purely professional. Though, in that sense, I am interested in you."

"Oh? Interested? Want to see my cock?" I took it too far. Sorry.

"Every knight in the capital is paying attention to you right now. After all, you’re the one who caused the downfall of Lespar, the former Captain of the Eighth Knight Order."

"...Is that 'attention' friendly?"

Lespar was the guy who tried to assassinate the Queen. He was her nephew and a high-ranking Captain. If I was the reason he got busted, it makes sense people would notice. I just hoped they didn't hold a grudge for me taking down one of their own.

"Lespar's crimes were clear. No knight would be so lawless as to hold a grudge for catching a criminal. If anything, they're grateful to you for stopping him before he could drag the Order's name through the mud any further."

Romphaia’s expression was bright; she didn't seem to have a hidden agenda. Come to think of it, I’ve met a few "female knights" before, but Romphaia was the most "proper" knight I’d ever seen. Martha Curly was more obsessed with her giant body than her job, and my sister was a "Holy Knight" who was basically a bundle of surprises.

Romphaia was the first genuine, straight-laced knight I’d met. It made her even more attractive.

"So, Romphaia, what do you usually do?" I asked. It felt like a topic you'd bring up at a mixer.

"Usually? I devote myself to my duties. I hone my swordsmanship, protect the palace, and analyze intelligence to prepare for foreign threats."

She really is a textbook knight! No "K-kill Me!" vibes here.

"To us, you're a rising star, Sir Sao. You prevented a coup and earned the Queen's absolute trust. Do you plan to join the Knight Order after you graduate?" "Not really."

My dream for the future? Being a father. I want to be the kind of dad whose kids grow up saying, 'I want to be like him.' A mix of Yujiro Hanma, Kaibara Yuzan, and Anakin Skywalker, divided by two.

"I want to be an adult who prioritizes family over anything. Though I don't mind serving the country. The Queen seems like she’s going to use me as a convenient tool for life anyway..." 

"If that’s the case, wouldn't it be better to join the Order? Better to have an official position than to just be the Queen's 'hand' with no standing."

It seemed Romphaia wanted to recruit me into her section. I bet the Knight Orders have all kinds of annoying turf wars. I really didn't want to get involved.

"Well, it's a long road to our destination. We’ll have plenty of time to discuss your future. ...Oh, right." Romphaia remembered something and fumbled through her gear pouch. 

"I have a letter of orders from Her Majesty. For me. She told me to open it once I was officially traveling with you."

The Queen was playing the long game again. What kind of order would she give Romphaia at this point?

"Wait... what?!"

Romphaia’s face turned pale as she stared at the paper. The order written there was...

"Knight Romphaia, I order you: Have sex with Sao."

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